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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. To shift to another key.






2. Tone color - quality of sound that distinguishes one verse or instrument to another. It is determined by the harmonies of sound.






3. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






4. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






5. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






6. A group singing in unison.






7. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






8. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






9. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






10. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






11. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






12. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






13. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






14. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






15. A string of chords played in succession.






16. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






17. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






18. A direction to play expressively.






19. A reprise.






20. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






21. The principal note of a triad.






22. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






23. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






24. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






25. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






26. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






27. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






28. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






29. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






30. A composition written for nine instruments.






31. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






32. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






33. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






34. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






35. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






36. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






37. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






38. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






39. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






40. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






41. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






42. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






43. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






44. A composition written for eight instruments.






45. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






46. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






47. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






48. A set of seven musicians who perform a composition written for seven parts.






49. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






50. Direction to performer to play a composition in a brisk - lively - and spirited manner.






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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